As we enter 2012, those New Years resolutions have been made, and it is often a time when we admit that we'd like to spend a little more time on ourselves, whether that means going on a diet, exercising more or simply changing your style. A simple way to change your style is to change the shoes you're wearing; with many women commenting that the way they feel in the outfit they're wearing can be affected by what shoes they choose.

Sticking to New Years Resolutions is never easy, no matter how determined we may be in the first place, so making simple changes is a fantastic way of making sure you can stick to them. If you're feeling a little bit stale when it comes to the clothes you're wearing, then why not try a new style of footwear? This can really set off your outfit as a whole, bringing it to life and thus making you feel more confident and comfortable in your style.

To bring your wardrobe up-to-date, you don't necessarily have to clear the whole lot out and start again; keep simple pieces and team this with different items of footwear to create a completely different look each time you set foot out of the door. Here are some footwear style ideas you could try:

High Heels

Many women may already be recoiling at the thought of wearing heels on a more regular basis as it is a style that often sacrifices comfort and brings the thought of those twisted ankles to the forefront of your mind.

However, give heels a chance, particularly for those special occasions or dressy dos, as they're an item of footwear that are proven for making you feel more confident, sexy and they're great for making your calves look slender.

If you really don't fancy high heels, why not try a mid-high heel; and to add a touch more style opt for something bold in colour or with an added detail to the toe.

Equally, if you're really looking to stand out of the crowd with your shoes, opt for a bold design with a brand such as Blink or Bronx or a brogue style high heel. If you spot a shoe that you love, don't 'um' and 'ahh' about what people would say...remember your New Years Resolution!

Western Wonders

One way of really adding a distinguished touch to your outfit would be to opt for cowboy boots as this style of boot really is a step out of the crowd. With their unique western stitch details and small cowgirl heels they're ideal for casual or dress wear, with the ability to be dressed up or down.

You can add the subtle Western influence into your outfit with one of the slouch effect boots or cowgirls shoes, giving you a instant lift to the standard shoes and boots you may wear on a daily basis. Or, if you're feeling very daring, why not opt for the cowboy boots with fantastic stitch and stud detail, to really give your outfit a rocky, chic edge.

Flat & Fabulous

Whilst we are suggesting you don't shy away from heels, flat can also be fabulous, especially if heels really aren't your thing. Flat shoes can be an equally as stylish piece of footwear to add to your outfit; particularly as we enter 2012 and many fashion designers include flat styles within their designs.

Mix up the heels and the flats; if you wear heels a lot, why not try the flat shoes...this will really add a different touch to your outfit and you might be surprised by the comfort! Flat is in no way boring, in fact a simple pair of ballerina pumps will add a lot more style to your outfit than those comfortable old boots that you keep wearing!

If you're wanting to wear a dressy pair of flat shoes then brogues or loafers can often be smart enough, particularly for work. Team it with a pair of fashionable smart trousers or a pencil skirt and you'll look every bit the professional!

Bold Brilliance

Sick of sticking to the trends, fancy wearing a pair of shoes on your feet that will really turn heads? Then go bigger and bolder. This year is a fantastic time to go bold when it comes to your footwear as Spring/Summer 2012 brings a lot of bold colours to life; with vibrant footwear being a must!

Bold footwear is fantastic for dressing up an old/boring outfit that you still love but feel it lacks that certain oomph; for example, the little black dress can really be given an injection of life with the accessories you team with it, so why not add a pair of outrageous shoes?

These are just a couple of examples of how shoes can really spice up your outfits, bringing you confidence and style! The most important thing to remember is to go for a style that you feel reflects you; don't follow the crowd, step out of it.